What America Thinks: The Dog Days of Summer Are Here
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We may be into the last stretch of summer, but don’t count it out yet. With the Summer Olympics just getting underway, there’s plenty more summer to be had which is music to Americans’ ears. How much do they love summer? We decided to find out what America thinks.

Fifty-five percent (55%) of Americans planned to take a summer vacation this year. Just as many took one last summer, the highest in several years. Granted, 41% say summer is their favorite season to take a vacation. Summer’s on a par with spring and fall for Americans’ favorite season overall, though. Basically, they like anything but winter.

Americans see summer as very important for children. Nearly half think school should start after Labor Day as opposed to beginning in August as it does in many districts around the country. In part, that’s because 50% think summer vacation is good for kids. Most think children learn life lessons during the summer that they wouldn’t learn in a classroom.

The good news is that summer’s not over yet. It doesn’t officially end until September 22, although most Americans consider Labor Day—which doesn’t fall until September 5 this year—the unofficial end of the season.

For Rasmussen Reports, I’m Alex Boyer. Remember, if it’s in the news, it’s in our polls.